Milking-machine.



No. 790,557. PATENTED MAY 23, 1905. 4

L. BURRELL.

MILKING MAG HINE.

APPLIOATIOH FILED AUG.1, 1904.

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No. 790,557, PATENTED MAY 23, 1905.

" 1 L. BURRBLL.

MILKING' MACHINE. I APPLICATION FILED AUG.1, 1904.

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UNITED STATES Patented May 23, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

LOOMIS BURRELL, 0F LITTLEFALLS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORTO D. H. BURRELL & COMPANY, or LITTLEFALLS, NEW YORK.

MlLKlNG-MAOHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 790,557, dated May 23, 1905.

' Application filed August 1,1904. Serial No. 218,999.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LooMIs BUnnELL, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Littlefalls, in the county of Herkimer and State'of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Milking-lvlachines, of which the following is a specification. a This invention relates to that class'of milking-machines in which an intermittent 0r pulsating suction or exhaust action is applied to the teat-cups by means of a portable pulsating mechanism which is connected with the exhausted milk-receiving vessel.

The main object of this invention is to produce a portable pulsating mechanism which is positively operated by mechanical mechanism from a driving-shaft in the barn and in which the mechanical operating mechanism is of such construction that the pulsating mechanism can be readily connected with the driving-shaft when the milk vessel has been placed in the desired position for milking.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of three sheets, Figure 1 is an elevation of a milk vessel provided with a pulsator and mechanical driving mechanism embodying this invention. Fig. Qisa vertical section through the upper portion of the driving mechanism in line 2 2, Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the pulsator-valve seat in line 3 3, Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the pulsator in line 4 4, Fig. 3. 'Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of the pulsator viewed from the right in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a bottom planv viewof the pulsator-valve. Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the valve-seat. Fig. 8'is a horizontal sec- 7, tion in line 8 8, Fig. 4, through the cavities of the pulsator-valve, the iatter being in the position in which it connects the milk-ports with the exhausted milk vessel. Fig. 9 is a vertical section in line 9 9, Fig. 8,'showing one of the milk-ports connected by one of the valve-cavities with two of the suction-ports.

Fig. 10 is a vertical section in line 10 10, Fig. 8, showing the air-ports connected by one of the valve-cavities with the air-channel. Fig.

11 is a horizontal section in line 11 11, Fig. 4, showing the valve in the position in which the milk-ports are closed and the air-ports are connected with the interior of the milk vessel. Fig. 12 is a vertical section in line 12 12, Fig. 11, showing one of the air-ports connected with one of the suction ports. Fig. 13 is a vertical section in line 13 13, Fig. 11, showing the air-channel of the valve-seat covered by the valve. Fig.-14 is a vertical section in line 14 14, Fig. 11, showing one of the milk-ports closed by the valve.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

The teat-cups and the pulsator are in their general" character like those which are described and shown in my Patent No. 784,780, dated March 14, 1905. Briefly stated, each teat-cup has an internal flexible lining, which is capable of movement inwardly and outwardly or toward and from the inclosing rigid wall of the cup,janol the pulsator is such that the suction'is alternately applied to the space within the lining, in which space the teat is placed and which receives the milk therefrom, and to'the space outside of the lining, which space does not receive any milk, and, furthermore, such that the external air is admitted to either space when such space is disconnected from the suction by the pulsator, so that when the suction is applied to the space within the lining the latter is pressed against the teat by the atmospheric pressure admitted to the space outside of the lining and the milk is drawn from the teat into the inner space, while when the suction is applied to the space outside of the lining the latter is drawn away from the teat and the partial vacuum in the inner space is relieved by air entering the same. The teat-cups have their inner milk-spaces and outer air-spaces connected by branch milk and air pipes with a connector or manifold coupling, which contains an automatic air-inlet valve and from which a main milk and main air pipe lead to the pulsator.

A represents the portable milk vessel, pail, or receptacle,- upon which the pulsator is preferably mounted. 4

B represents the base-plate of the pulsator, which rests detachably and tightly, preferably by means of a rubber packing-ring I), Fig. 1, upon the top of the pail. b represents the nipple on this plate, to which'the suction-pipe b is attached, which connects the pail with the usual vacuum-pump or exhaust apparatus.

C represents a raised valve-seat, which is formed centrally on the base-plate B and which contains the milk and air ports or passages.

D represents the pulsator-valve, which is arranged upon the seat C and rotates thereon and which contains cavities and passages cooperating with the ports and passages of the valve-seat.

E represents a set of four teat-cups, each provided at its lower end with a branch milkpipe 6, leading to the connector or manifold coupling F, which is connected by the main milk-pipe f with the pulsator.

g represents the main air-pipes, which extend from the pulsator to the connector, and g represents the branch air-pipes, leading from the sides of the teat-cups to the connector.

The valve-seat Chas a fiat or horizontal upper circular face, upon which the valve D rests by its corresponding lower face, and the valve is connected with the seat by a vertical pivot H, which is secured centrally in the seat and on which the valve turns. The valve-seat is provided with two milk-ports 0, two exhaustports 0 on opposite sides of each milk-port, and two air-ports on opposite sides of a radial air-inlet port 0 The latter has, preferably, the form of an open radial channel. Each milk-port 0 extends downwardly from the face of the valve-seat and then outwardly and opens laterally in a boss 0', which receives a glass tube 0 and a packing a. The opposite end of the glass tube a is fitted in a boss 0 which is formed on the base-plate B and which receives a packing 0 and a cock 0", to which the main milk-pipe f is attached. Two sets of milk-ports and connecting parts are preferably used on each pulsator, so that the milk vessel can be used for milking two cows at the same time. The exhaust-ports 0', which are arranged on opposite sides of each milkport, extend through the valve-seat from its upper to its lower side, Figs. 9, 12, and 14, so as to communicate with the exhausted interior of the milk vessel; The valve-seat is provided with a central cavity 72 somewhat larger in diameter than the pivot H, Fig. 4, and the radial air-channel 0 which is arranged in the upper face of the valve-seat, opens at its inner end into the cavity. The air-ports 0 which are arranged on opposite sides of the channel 0 Fig. 13, extend from the upper face of the valve-seat downward into a horizontal passage g Figs. 3, 4, and 13, which is arranged transversely underneath the channel 0 and which connects at its ends with pipes g having cocks g*, to which the flexible main air-pipes g are attached. The two milkports 0 and the air-channel c are arranged ap proximately equidistant circumferentially, so a that these ports, together with the exhaustports 0 and the air-ports 6, form three approximately equidistant groups of ports.

The valve D is provided on its under side with three equidistant cavities (1?, each of such length that it extends over one of these groups of ports and places the same in communication and that it also extends when in a different position from one of the air-ports to the nearest exhaust-port c. To that end the four exhaust-ports 0 and the two air-ports c are preferably approximately equidistant. The hub of the valve, which is fitted to turn on the upper part of the pivot H. is preferably provided with descending air-inlet passages it, Figs. 4 and 8, through which the external air passes from above to the inner end of the airchannel 0 so that the latter receives air at both ends.

During the rotary movement of the valve on its seat the cavities of the valve pass successively through various positions with reference to the ports and cause the suction to be applied alternately to the milk-pipes f and the air-pipes g and the external air to be admitted to the pipes from which the suction has been cut off.

In the position of the valve shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10 each of the three valve-cavities (Z stands over one of the three groups of ports, and each milk-port c is in communication with the two adjacent exhaust-ports c, Fig. 9, and both air-ports c are in communication with the air-channel 0 Fig. 10. In this position of the parts the suction is applied to the milkpipes f e and through the same to the interior space of the teat-cups, and the milk is drawn from the teats, and the suction is cut off from the air-pipes 7 g and the exterior of the teatcups, and the air is admitted to these pipes.

In the position of the valve shown in Figs. 11 to 14 the valve has made part of a revolution, and the solid portions of the valve-face be tween the cavities (Z now close the milk-ports c, Fig. 1a, and cover the air-channel c", Fig. 13, while the air-ports c are connected by two of the cavities d with the nearest two exhaustports 0', Fig. 12. The third cavity (Z connects the two remaining exhaustports c and is therefore inactive. In this position of the parts the suction is cut off from the milkpipes f e and the interior of the teat-cups and the external air is admitted to these milk-pipes and the internal spaces of the teat-cups, whereby the teats are quickly relieved from the suction. At the same time the suction is applied through the air-pipes g g to the outer spaces of the teat-cups, whereby the flexible linings of the cups are drawn away from the teats and the pressure against the latter is quickly relieved.

In passing to and through the position 01? the valve shown in Figs. 8,9, and each I cavity which coincides with the air-channel first brings the channel in communication with one of the air-ports, then with both, and then again with one until the air-ports are closed. Owing to the duplication of the exhaust-ports and air-ports the valve-cavities can be comparatively short circumferentially and still apply the suction to the milk-ports 0 during a somewhat greater part of the revolutionof the valve than that during which the suction is cut off from the milkports,'while the air is admitted to the air-ports c for a somewhat longer part of the revolution than that during which the suction is connected with the air-ports. This arrangementis desirable, because it renders the period of time during which the suction is applied to the teats somewhat longer than that during which the relief is applied. The valvecavities.admit the air to the air-ports, slightly earlier than they apply the suction to the milk-ports, which isdesirable. In this manner the rotation of the valve alternately applies suction to the inner and outer teat-cup spaces and at the same time admits the air alternately to the outer and inner teat-cup spaces, and so produces well-pronounced and efficient pulsations both in the milk and air pipes and in the inner and outer spacesof the cups. Each revolution of the valve produces three pulsations,"and a speed of about twenty revolutions per minute will therefore produce about sixty pulsations per minute, which number will produce satisfactory results. The air-inlet valve in the connector F further admits air to the branch milk-pipes and the inner spaces of the teatcups directly, as described in my former application for patent, whereby the partial vacuum is quickly relieved by admitting the air to the teat-space of the cup without being first compelled to travel through the long main milk-pipe, which is more or less filled with milk.

The base-plate of the pulsator is provided with the usual handle I, the curled ends of which form supports for the flexible pipes in carrying the vessel about.

The mechanism by which'the valve is rowheels are mounted on the driving-shaft at proper distances apart. M represents a bifurcated supporting frame or hanger, which is hung upon the shaft so as to straddle the driving-wheel and which supports the upright actuating-shaft N, which carries at its upper end a driving disk-wheel O and connects at its lower end with the pulsator-valve. The

upright shaft is preferably composed of a tubular main portion. 12., an upper-portion at, and a lower portion 92 The two arms of the bifurcated hanger-frame terminate in hooks m, by which the hanger is supported on the horizontal shaft. One of these hooks is placed between the driving-wheel and the sup? porting-bearing 7n and bears against a stop 71: on the latter, whereby the hanger-frame is prevented from rotating withthe shaft. The driving disk-wheel O is secured to the upper section 77/ of the upright adjustingshaft N. This section is journaled in a bearing P, which is vertically adjustable in the hanger-frame M, so that the disk-wheel can be lowered away from the driving-wheel L by lowering the bearing in the hanger. For that purpose the bearing P may be provided with a screw-thread p, which engages in a threaded vertical socket p of the hanger M, as represented in Fig. 2. Upon screwing the bearing down the disk-wheel O can be so far lowered below the driving-wheel L that the hanger can be unhooked from the shaft. In this position of the bearing and disk the hanger can be removed and applied to the shaft at a different place to engage the disk with'a different driving-wheel. When the hanger has been so placed on the shaft, the adjustable bearing is raised in the hanger until the driven disk-wheel is properly engaged with the driving-wheel. The driving-wheel and disk may be friction-wheel's, as shown, or they may be gear-wheels. The driving-disk rests on the adjustable bearing P, preferably by a ball-bearing q. The upper section at of the actuating-shaft is connected with the upper end of the tubular main portion 71 by a somewhat flexible coupling. For that purpose the upper section fitsrather loosely in the tubular main section, and the cross-pin of, which is rigidly secured in the upper section 02/, its rather loosely in holes in the collar of of the tubular section, so that the two sections have considerable play on each othcr which permits the two sections to deviate somewhat from a straight line. The lower section n of the actuating-shaft is coupled with the lower end of the tubular main section, so asto be capable of telescopic movement thereon. For that purpose the lower section is preferably made square, Fig. 4:, and arranged in a correspondihg ope'n'ing'in the collar 9" at the lower end of the tubular main section. The lower section 12 is prevented from dropping out of the main portion n by any suitable meansfor instance, a cross-pin 1", secured in the upper end of the lower section. The lower end &

of the lower section carries a coupling-block S, which is securedto the section by a crosspin 8 and has in its lower end a diametrical groove 8, by which it engages a cross-pin t, secured in a cavity 2?, formed in the upper portion of the valve. The upright actuatingshaft transmits rotary motion positively to the valve; but the connection of the parts is so loose or flexible that the shaft can readily adapt itself within reasonable limits to the position of the milk vessel, which may stand higher or lower and somewhat obliquely by reason of unevenness in the floor. In operating this machine the milk vessel is placed in a convenient position between two cows which are to be milked, and the pulsator is connected with the driving-wheel overhead by the upright actuating shaft and hanger frame. When the milking has been completed, the upright shaft is removed from the horizontal shaft and carried with the milk vessel to the next milking position, where the shaft is provided with another driving wheel. This mechanism operates the pulsator-valve positively, consumes comparatively little power, and contains no delicate parts which require a fine adjustment and are liable to get out of order and which would be difficult to repair or replace. The machine can therefore be easily kept in good working order by operatives of ordinary skill and can be readily taken apart for cleaning.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination of a milk vessel, means for exhausting the same, a portable pulsator connected with said vessel, teat-cups connected with the pulsator, a driving-shaft provided with a device for driving the pulsator, and a portable actuating mechanism connecting said driving device with the pulsator, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a portable milk vessel, means for exhausting the same, a pulsator arranged upon the milk vessel, teat-cups connected with the pulsator, a driving-shaft provided with a device for driving the pulsator, and a portable actuating mechanism connecting said driving device with the pulsator, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a milk vessel, means 'for exhausting the same, a portable pulsator connected with said vessel, teat-cups connected with the pulsator, a driving-shaft. a portable actuating-shaft, and means for connecting the actuating-shaft with the driving-shaft and the pulsator in different positions of the latter, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of a milk vessel, means for exhausting the same, a portable pulsator connected with the milk vessel, teat-cups connected with the pulsator, a driving-shaft provided with a device for driving the pulsator, an actuating mechanism adapted to connect the driving device with the pulsator, and a portable support for said actuating mechanism which can be shifted to correspond with the position of the milk vessel, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of a milk vessel, means for exhausting the same, a pulsator connected with the milk vessel, teat-cups connected with the pulsator, a driving-shaft provided with a driving-wheel, an actuating-shaft provided at one end with a wheel which is driven by said driving-wheel and having its opposite end coupled to the pulsator, and a portable support for said actuating-shaft, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination of a portable milk vessel, means for exhausting the same, a pulsator connected with the milk vessel, teat-cups connected with the pulsator, a horizontal driving-shaft provided with a device for driving the pulsator, an actuating-shaft havingat one end a device which is driven from said driving device and having its opposite end coupled to the pulsator, and a portable hangerframe in which said actuating-shaft is journaled and which is provided with hooks for supporting it detachably on said driving-shaft, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination of a portable milk vessel, means for exhausting the same, a pulsator connected with the milk vessel, teat-cups eonnected with the pulsator, a (.lriving-shaft provided with a device for driving the pulsator, and an actuating-shaft which is connected at one end to the pulsator and provided at its opposite end with a device which is driven from said driving device, said actuating-shaft being composed of sections which are flexibly connected, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination of a portable milk vessel, means for exhausting the same, a pulsator connected with the milk vessel, teat-cups connected with the pulsator, a driving-shaft provided with a device for driving the pulsator, and an actuating-shaft which is connected at one end to the pulsator and provided atits opposite end with a device which is driven from said driving device, said actuating shalt being composed of telescopic sections, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of a portable milk vessel, means for exhausting the same, a pulsator connected with the milk vessel, teat-cups connected with the pulsator, a driving-shaft provided with a device for driving the pulsator, and an actuating-shaft which is composed of a main section, an upper section coupled therewith and provided with a device which is driven from the driving device, and a lower section having a telescopic connection with the main section and provided with a coupling which connects with the pulsator, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination of a portablemilk vessel, means for exhausting the same, a pulsator connected with the milk vessel, teat-cups connected with the pulsator, a driving-shaft prollC vided with a device for driving the pulsator,

an actuating-shaft having at one end a device which isdriven from said driving device and at the other end a coupling for connection with the pulsator, a supporting-frame in which said actuating-shaft is journaled,and means for adjusting said driven device toward and from said driving device, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination of a portable milk vessel, means for exhausting the same, a pulsator connected with the milk vessel, teat-cups connected with the pulsator, a driving-shaft provided with a devicefor driving the pulsator, an actuating-shaft having at one end a device which is driven from said driving device and at the other end a coupling for connection with the pulsator, a supportingframe for said actuating-shaft, and a bearing in said frame in which said actuating-shaft is journaled and which is movable toward and from said driving device, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination of aportable milk vessel, means for exhausting the same, a pulsator connected with the milk vessel, teat-cups connected with the pulsator, a horizontal drivingshaft provided with a driving-wheel, an actuating-shaft provided with a wheel which is driven from said driving-wheel and with a coupling for connection with the pulsator, and a portable frame adapted to be hung on said horizontal shaft and having an adjustable bearing in which the actuating-shaft is journaled, substantially as set forth.

13. In a milking-machine, the combination of a milk vessel, and a pulsator connected therewith and comprising a valve-seat having a flat face provided with ports, and a'rotary pulsator-valve arranged on said seat and having its flat face provided with cavities cooperating with said ports, substantially as set forth.

14. In a pulsator for a milking-machine, the combination of a valve-seat having its face provided with a milk-port, an exhaust-port, an air-port and an air-inlet passage, and a rotary valve having its face provided with a cavity which in successive positions of the valve establishes communication between the air-inlet passage and the air-port, or between the airport and the exhaust-port, or between the milk-port and the exhaust-port, substantially as set forth.

' 15. In a pulsator for a milking-machine, the combination of a valve-seat having its face provided with a milk-port, an exhaust-port, an air-port and an air-inlet passage, and a rotary pulsator-valve having its face provided with a cooperating cavity, said ports and passage being arranged in the circular path of said valve-cavity, substantially as set forth.

16. Ina pulsator for amilking-machine, the combination of a valve-seat having its face provided with a milk-port, exhaust-ports on opposite sides of the milk-port, an air-inlet pas sage, and air-ports on opposite sides of said passage, and a valve having its face provided with a cavity adapted to connect both airports, or both exhaust-ports, or one of said air-ports with one of said exhaustports, substantially as set forth.

17 In a pulsator for a milking-machine, the combination of a valve-seat having its face provided with a milk-port, an air-inlet passage, an exhaust-port arranged between said milkport and said air-inlet passage and adjacent to the milk-port, and an air-port arranged between said milk-port and said air-inlet-passage and adjacent to the latter, and a valve having its face provided with a cavity adapted to connect in different positions said air-inlet passage with said air-port, or said air-port with said exhaust-port, or said exhaust-port with said milk-port, substantially as set forth.

18. In a pulsator for a milking-machine, the combination of a valve-seat having its face provided with ports and with an air-channel which is open at its inner and outer ends, of a valve having an inner air-passage communicating with the inner end of the air-channel, and having in its face a cavity which cooperates with the air channel and ports, substantially as set forth. I

19. The combination of a portable milk vessel, a pulsator arranged upon the same and comprising a valve-seat having ports and a rotary valve arranged on said seat and having its face provided with cavities cooperating with said ports, a driving-shaft extending upwardlyfrom said valve, and an actuating mechanism connected with said driving-shaft for operating the pulsator, substantially as set forth,

20. The combination of aportable milk vessel, a pulsator arranged upon the same'and comprising a valve-seat having ports and a rotary valve arranged on said seat and having its inner face provided with cavities cooperating with said ports, a driving-shaft provided with a driving-wheel, and an actuatingshaft provided at one end with a wheel which is driven from said driving-wheel and having at its opposite end a coupling for connection with said valve, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 26th day of July, 1904.

LOOMIS BURRELL.

Witnesses:

F. A. LANE,

,HAs. B. DALZEL IIO 

